Russia's latest attempt to stem the anger over a new law that effectively criminalizes speaking out for gay rights may have just added more gasoline to the fire. Earlier today, Russian sport minister Vitaly Mutko tried to assure the world that the new law wouldn't put Olympians in danger of being arrested. But at the same time, he seemed to put gays in the same category as drug addicts and alcoholics.
"We want to protect our children whose psyches have not formed from the propaganda of drug use, drunkenness and non-traditional sexual relations," Mutko said.
Homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia in 1993 and Mutko, along with other Russian officials, have been at pains to emphasize that the law does not penalize gay orientation or activity.
"I can say once again that the freedoms of Russian and foreign athletes and guests who come to Sochi will be absolutely protected," Mutko said.
So let's get this straight. Mutko says being gay is no different from being high--and yet, in the same breath, says that gay athletes have nothing to worry about next year in Sochi. Yeah,
that's reassuring.
As proof of how dense the Kremlin seems to be, Mutko said that this law is getting more attention outside of Russia than inside it. Hmmm, that couldn't be because people are actually worried that athletes and fans will be safe? Nah, that's really not a big deal--at least not to Putin and company.